UPA ready to prove strength in and outside House: Koda

Ranchi, Mar 2 (UNI) Putting on a brave face in the wake of Opposition onslaught on the opening day of the budget session, Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda asserted that the UPA was ready prove its strength both in the House or outside it.

Snubbing the Opposition's repeated protests in the Assembly, terming his government ''minority'' in the 82-member house, following the withdrawal of support by the Forward Bloc, Mr Koda dared them to go for a trial of strength.

Referring to another controversial issue over the induction of suspended Forward Bloc legislator Bhanu Pratap Shahi in his cabinet, he said the matter had already been referred to as speaker Alalmgir Alam's court.

''Let the Speaker decide on it'', he said.

On AJSU MLA, Chandra Prakash Chaudhuri becoming minster, he said he had received no complaint from the party.

The AJSU with two MLAs were also part of the Oposition while one of them joined the Koda camp to become minister five months back.

Former Home Minister Sudesh Mahto was still with the NDA.

UNI